ARTICLES ABOUT URANIUM MINING BY DATE - PAGE 2

KOLKATA: Public sector Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) is in talks to acquire stakes in companies that own uranium mining assets abroad, its CMD S K Jain said. "Preparatory talks are underway through technology and equipment suppliers. As part of a commitment to offer an uninterrupted supply of the radioactive material, these technology providers will help us acquire stakes in foreign uranium mining companies," he said. "NPCIL intends to partner companies owning uranium assets abroad to achieve guaranteed supply of the radio active material.

SYDNEY: Australia could lose the chance to become the world's biggest uranium producer if a threatened ban on mining yellowcake in a key state is imposed, an industry lobby group said on Wednesday. The nation's economy could also lose out on billions of dollars in potential revenue if Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter makes good on his pledge to outlaw uranium mining in the vast state if his government is re-elected this weekend, it warned. "The proposal to ban uranium mining in Western Australia fails on so many counts," said Michael Angwin, director of the Australia Uranium Association.

MUMBAI : Meghalaya on Thursday emphasised the need for evolving a consensus among all stakeholders, including political parties, on the issue of uranium mining in the state, which is crucial to country's nuclear power programme, in the face of environmental and health concerns on radiation. "The mining of high-quality uranium, available in plenty in Khasi hills located in the western part of the state, is a very sensitive issue and there is need for a consensus on it," Chief Minister Donkapur Roy told media here.

SHILLONG; In a bid to meet the target of generating 20,000 MW of power from uranium by 2020, India is making a serious effort to roll out mining projects in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka at a rapid pace. "To achieve the target, we need more uranium. Mining is on in Jharkhand, construction works have started in Andhra Pradesh and we are moving as scheduled in Karnataka," Cabinet Secretary and Chairman of Centre's Committee on Uranium Mining K M Chandrashekhar said today.

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday approved a new policy for fertiliser makers to boost investments in the sector and reduce government's subsidies. The government also cleared a Rs 200-crore uranium mining plan that will boost the country's nuclear power programme. The idea is to add another 75,000 tonnes of uranium for the programme, science and technology minister Kapil Sibal said here after a meeting of the Union Cabinet. Mr Sibal said the new fertiliser investment rules would promote joint ventures abroad, which will help meet India's domestic demand through imports at competitive prices.

NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of Indo-US nuclear deal, state-run ONGC will make a foray into uranium mining, an official said. ONGC board has approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), for exploration and exploitation of uranium, the official said. This collaboration with UCIL is to leverage ONGC's expertise in exploration of hydrocarbons to commercially exploit this vital and strategic mineral, he added. Currently, ONGC is passively studying the prospects through ONGC Energy Center (OEC)

LONDON: Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto said on Thursday it had agreed to sell its Kintyre uranium mine project in western Australia for 495 million US dollars (315 million euros). The London-listed resources giant said in a statement that it would sell the facility to a joint venture that comprises Canadian uranium miner Cameco and Japanese finance giant Mitsubishi Corporation. The Kintyre project is a uranium mining site under development in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia.

SHILLONG: In an U-turn, the Congress today decided to join the all-party committee on uranium mining in Meghalaya. Earlier, the party had decided not to join the committee formed by Chief Minister Donkupar Roy to arrive at a consensus on whether to allow Uranium Corporation of India Limited to go ahead with mining the heavy metal in the state. The decision to join the panel came after the AICC summoned the PCC president O L Nongtdu and Leader of the Opposition D D Lapang to discuss the matter.

NEW DELHI: The Centre is exploring options to set up a small nuclear power plant in Meghalaya. The proposed plant would use the locally available uranium as fuel. The state has one of the richest sources of nuclear fuel in the country but mining is yet to begin there. The Centre's plan is being seen as a compromise formula to open up uranium mining in the state. The issue had earlier led to controversy due to the export of raw material and other health-related issues.

NEW DELHI: Making a strong case for uranium mining, Meghalaya minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said the country's nuclear fuel shortage will be catered to a great extent if mining operations begin in the northeastern state. Sangma, also the president of the NCP's youth wing, said once uranium mining is allowed, the northeast will become the powerhouse of the country. He hoped that the Meghalaya government gives it nod to mining in the state, which has about 18 per cent of uranium deposits.